Well, I’ve always been involved with art in some form or another for as long as I can remember. Comic books especially had a huge impact on my creativity. In early elementary school I used to draw shitty comic strips about a grouchy mosquito named (coincidentally enough) "Mr. Mosquito" who had three rambunctious mosquito nephews that cooked up trouble. It was a straight up Scrooge McDuck rip off but it got me engaged in making and thinking about art. Pretty much every notebook in every class throughout all of my schooling was riddled drawings in just about any available space. In high school I got into AP art classes and eventually I was accepted into attended SCAD, which had a "sequential art" program but I didn't have the discipline or desire to maintain my academic career. After a few years attempting to find success as a freelance illustrator my art career began to dissolve into the background. now not only had I been a part of a culture that celebrated and considered tattoos an awesome expression of art but had in fact bought and paid for almost a full sleeve on my right arm. Tattooing was illegal in South Carolina until 2005, so the option of learning the craft legally wasn't available to me while living there at the time so when it did become legalized I immediately went out and got an apprenticeship at the first shop that opened in town. I sacrificed a lot to make it through. It was a crazy place to be at the time, we had tattooers driving up from Greenville, SC and Augusta, GA just to work the weekend because they'd make more money in 2 1/2 days than working a week back home. It was kind of like the Wild West at times...

What kind of tattoos do you enjoy doing the most?

I’m super fascinated by well-done American traditional tattoos. Moving from an illustration background where tedious detail and general artf****ing were considered strengths, its tradition’s stripped down, minimalist approach that stresses fundamental design and cleverness that gets me excited to make more tattoos. I’m currently really into using traditional design techniques onto subject matter not usually associated with said style, but still has some personal interest to myself whether it be comic book, toy, cartoon, or just nerdy ass s**t in general. By no means do I consider myself a one trick pony though, I feel confident and adept at most styles of tattooing and art from realism to the abstract, I fear no style! My preference is always to be able to put a little of myself into each design and ultimately be in control of making the decisions I feel end up at the best design possible for both my client and myself.

How has tattooing changed your life?

I can honestly say that tattooing is the best thing I’ve ever done with my life. Nothing has ever given back to me like tattooing has. whether it be the people I’ve been lucky enough to meet or the opportunities that have opened up to me or just the personal creative satisfaction, it’s made me feel more fulfilled than any other endeavor I’ve been a part of. I’ve had a couple things published as a freelancer but even with those modest successes I never felt as artistically empowered as when u rock out a piece you’re really proud of. Most of drawing comics consisted of locking myself in a room for 8 to 10 hours at a time and stumbling back out into the world, and read just accordingly. With tattoos, it’s a people business. You’re not just in this for yourself or some random corporate entity. You’re not just sending something off to receive feedback a week later. Tattoos are immediate and someone is counting on you. It’s always an amazing satisfaction to hear you’ve superseded your client’s expectations. I’m smart enough to realize how truly lucky I am to be a free man doing what he loves.

How did you wind up at All or Nothing?

I’d worked and been friends with Mike McMahon since I started in the industry a couple shops before here. Last summer I was working at Anchor Deep Tattoo in northeast Columbia for a bit of a stay and was invited to do a guest spot up here, when some boys were out of town for a bit. Now, I’d heard of All or Nothing since the beginning of my apprenticeship and had heard told many a story of the unconquerable, seemingly mythical Brandon Bond and his empire of awesomeness forged by the hands of some of the finest tattoo artists in the industry… (Especially including equally mythical, DMFT).At first I thought of him as some sort of knife-wielding unicorn that may or may not actually exist but soon enough I was face to face with the man, and it turns out he is quite the "hugger".I’ll just have to assume they liked me and my work and invited me to stick around and kick some ass. I’ve seen so many great artists represent this shop as some of the best in tattooing and was more than happy to be offered a full time artist position. I feel fortunate to be a part of this crew and will do my best to bring the muthaf****** thunder as needed.

What’s the worst thing about working at the shop?

Dealing with Matt Dunlap …Hands down.Any final thoughts? Yeah. You know there’s so many people I need to thank for helping me get to where I’m at and be who I am right now. I wouldn’t be here without the support of the coolest Mom, Dad, Sister and Niece ever!! Tattoo wise, so many people who have affected me positively in one way or another. Stan Hudgins, Dave Alberson, Binky, Wes, Lanna, John Guanlao, Marlin Dockery, Eric, Dale, Turner, Michael Corwin, Danika, Bruce Ellis, Justin Johnson, The Chris-es Baumann and Bowman (weird, right? they should open a law practice together), Kosher, Just Rob, Greer, Curtis, Blake, Brian Decola, Jim, Lil Josh, Sweeney, John Thrasher, muthaf***** P Loud and the real Superbooth!!! Never forget where you come from!